Official: What are your real world MPG Numbers
- Thread starter Sonic-Mike
- Start date
Eric Smit
Enforcer
joe truck driver
New member
fill up today ...not so good 46.2mpg... 391 miles, 8.45 gal ; more city than usual . 603 for new tank
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slitzell
Boats n hoes
With it set to 50 and the thing reset the best ive seen it get is 43.1.
lattyd
New member
94% City, 6% Hwy
My current life-time average is 27.1 (Haven't reset it since i took delivery of the car) I have put approximately 1600 Miles on it during that period (including the first week of my trying to figure out how to drive a manual trans and stalling it frequently).
I am not easy on her either and my speeds are normally below 45 MPH (sometimes i get to run in 6th @ 50MPH for about an 1/8th mile before i hit the next light or traffic).
Over all i am very satisfied with the MPG's this car is getting, im not going to split hairs about 1-2 MPG's being off or not meeting the EPA's numbers. I can guarantee i dont drive the car like the EPA did either
My current life-time average is 27.1 (Haven't reset it since i took delivery of the car) I have put approximately 1600 Miles on it during that period (including the first week of my trying to figure out how to drive a manual trans and stalling it frequently).
I am not easy on her either and my speeds are normally below 45 MPH (sometimes i get to run in 6th @ 50MPH for about an 1/8th mile before i hit the next light or traffic).
Over all i am very satisfied with the MPG's this car is getting, im not going to split hairs about 1-2 MPG's being off or not meeting the EPA's numbers. I can guarantee i dont drive the car like the EPA did either
GeneralZod
New member
Eric and a few others have it right. High highway speeds ruin your chances at high MPG. The difference in drag from 35 MPH to 70 MPH is not double, it is squared.
From what I have seen for myself, the Sonic is peaking in effciency around 55-65 MPH. More data will make that spread closer. This effciency is not just the engine, but also other frictional forces.
Also, acceleration can play a factor. There are times when quick acceleration saves fuel and times when it does not.
Forced induction engines take longer to break-in. The piston rings need to seat to make the highest compression. These parts are also high quiality and take longer to break-in due to their durability. This also creates friction. Then you have the vavles and cams...
The turbo itself can be used to save fuel or drink it down. This is where a ScanGuage or the like will help. Once you start seeng the boost creep up it means fuel is also being used.
I think many people complaining about their MPG are not taking critical factors into account. Things like temps, wind, road surfaces, fuel quality, tire pressure, terrian, car options and so on can have noticable impacts. The car can't just magically give you 40 MPG, it has to be used in the correct way. And, what worked for your previous car may not work for your current car. It is a tool that requires learning. While the cars breaks-in, so are you by learning the car's chartacteristics.
From what I have seen for myself, the Sonic is peaking in effciency around 55-65 MPH. More data will make that spread closer. This effciency is not just the engine, but also other frictional forces.
Also, acceleration can play a factor. There are times when quick acceleration saves fuel and times when it does not.
Forced induction engines take longer to break-in. The piston rings need to seat to make the highest compression. These parts are also high quiality and take longer to break-in due to their durability. This also creates friction. Then you have the vavles and cams...
The turbo itself can be used to save fuel or drink it down. This is where a ScanGuage or the like will help. Once you start seeng the boost creep up it means fuel is also being used.
I think many people complaining about their MPG are not taking critical factors into account. Things like temps, wind, road surfaces, fuel quality, tire pressure, terrian, car options and so on can have noticable impacts. The car can't just magically give you 40 MPG, it has to be used in the correct way. And, what worked for your previous car may not work for your current car. It is a tool that requires learning. While the cars breaks-in, so are you by learning the car's chartacteristics.
LS1notFOUND
New member
this is why you tuck yourself in a row of vehicles going your desired speed, a sleek sports car will cut the air for you or a Tahoe will almost pull you along, and I remember this trick when I had my Sierra, will boost your economy! The Sierra would bumble along in the 2K RPM range but it was shaped like abrick, give it something to follow and you could easily gain MPG and its high sight line allowed for easy planning of upcoming stops.
The Sonic is nimble enough to outstop anything big infront of it so as long as your an attentive driver, good to go.
Now I don't mean ride the bumper but you can feel the difference in the pedal.
The Sonic is nimble enough to outstop anything big infront of it so as long as your an attentive driver, good to go.
Now I don't mean ride the bumper but you can feel the difference in the pedal.
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mitdr774
also a dinner prick
Speed is a huge killer of economy. In my 98 Z24 the difference between 60 and 70 was about 8 MPG. Its not as bad in the Sonic, but there is about a 4 MPG difference based on what was my normal work commute when i tested it out. The turbo may be a little different in what it likes, but so far my car seems to like between 55 and 60. I dont dare do below 60 on the expressway though, it might be legal to go 55, but it is not safe. Really 60 is iffy a lot of times. People dont pay attention and everyone wants to go 80.
My best all highway is 44.8 and that was a steady cruise at 60 for the majority of it. PLan ahead and be smooth with the acceleration.
My best all highway is 44.8 and that was a steady cruise at 60 for the majority of it. PLan ahead and be smooth with the acceleration.
GeneralZod
New member
At best you might see a 10% gain. It isn't bad, but many times those conditions won't produce big results unless you can draft for about a third of you range. A bus or truck is good. I just find the rocks and safety factors are not worth it.
If the sonic's pedal wasn't so touchy you would see great results using hills to keep your momentum up.
rodslinger
Member
This always worked great for me. I drive a LOT and make about 10 trips a year between Miami and Atlanta. I've seen as much as 24mpg out of my 2011 Dodge Dakota, Quad cab, 4.7 V8 and as much as 36mpg out of my recently sold 2006 Sentra Spec-V. I would usually find a rig running about 68mph and park about 5 car lenghts back. Still a reasonably safe distance but enough to bank on some drag reduction. Dakota is rated at 19 highway, Sentra was rated at 27 highway I believe.
Just an FYI. I would get better results following loaded car haulers or trailers hauling irregular shaped loads than straight up box trailers. Maybe they cut a bigger hole in the air due to the irregular shape. Not sure but it always seemed to work.
Am hoping to get 45 to 50mpg out of this thing on a trip I have scheduled next month.
